Bin Laden

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation. National  • Stating the obvious: Obama: Bin Laden had support network in Pakistan . (CNN)  • Voyeurism of narcissism: New bin Laden videos released. (CNN)  • Some bad dudes: Obama pays tribute to SEAL Team 6 . (Reuters)  • The mission marches on: U.S. drones dropping bombs in Pakistan . (VOA)

Osama bin Laden's death in Pakistan last week at the hands of Navy SEALs was a moral and symbolic victory for the U.S., but it complicated the already tense relationship between the Obama administration and Islamabad. The feeling in Washington is that the Pakistanis either were complicit in hiding bin Laden or are simply incompetent. Pakistanis, meanwhile, are furious that the Americans violated their country's sovereignty by mounting a covert mission deep inside their territory without the government's knowledge or consent.

Osama bin Laden once argued that the U.S., in its "Global War on Terror," was "like the one who plows and sows the sea: he harvests nothing but failure. " Bin Laden made this assertion in his video titled "The Solution," which was released Sept. 7, 2007, in advance of the sixth anniversary of Sept. 11. Since I learned that the U.S. had dispatched the assassinated al-Qaida leader by burial at sea, I have been reflecting on the uncanny relationship between bin Laden's aphoristic assessment from 31/2 years ago and his watery fate.

I completely disagree with Alan Eason ("After bin Laden, a time for reflection," May 6) and side strongly with Midshipman Hans Vreeland ("Midshipman: This is why we celebrated bin Laden death," May 6) and his comparison of the celebration by midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy to that of the munchkins in the Wizard of Oz after Dorothy's house crushes the Wicked Witch of the East. The spontaneous celebration was appropriate. Like many on the far left, Mr. Eason doesn't seem to get it. Osama bin Laden was the epitome of pure evil, and his innermost desire was to kill every American including Mr. Eason.

One of the things that really bugged us about Osama bin Laden was his brilliance as a military strategist. He challenged Americans' sacrosanct self-image of invincibility as measured in military might. In doing so, he forced us to question our sense of God-given exceptionalism and superiority as a nation. This could not stand. It explains the triumphant chest-thumping in response to his killing, something that goes well beyond satisfaction from knowing that the perpetrator of vast crimes has been laid low.   John G. Bailey, Edgemere

Less than one week after his death, terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's demise is now fodder for the nation's best-known comedy show.  Last night, Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen revealed bin Laden's will, and, unfortunately for the former Al-Qaeda leader, his instructions weren't exactly followed by U.S. troops.  Bin Laden revealed he has a "deathly fear of being eaten by fish. " "Do not bury me at sea," the terrorist said in the video. Oops. He also thanked Pakistani intelligence ("They are solid, reliable people")

Dan Rodricks argues that killing bin Laden was not "justice" ("Bin Laden death: Call it execution, not 'justice,'" May 5). "Justice" is an interesting ideal, but it has never been seen or rendered in the annals of man. No two people could agree completely on what it would be in reality. Many have tried to define it, long before Socrates and Plato, but none has succeeded. Bin Laden was a poisonous snake. If he had lived, he would have killed more. He got the same trial that he gave the thousands he slaughtered, except that he was warned.

Killing Osama bin Laden is a strange way to start a presidential campaign season, but that's where we are. Now, bin Laden wasn't taken out for partisan political reasons. Nor was his death ultimately a partisan policy. With only the most cartoonish exceptions imaginable (a President Kucinich, perhaps), it's inconceivable that any Republican or Democratic president would have passed up the opportunity to kill the world's most wanted man. Killing murderers like bin Laden is simply what U.S. presidents do. Hence, in a single week, the president put to rest two famous conspiracy theories.

Obama's self- serving, childish arrogance to constantly pat himself on the back for assassinating Osama bin Laden using all the information collected by former President Bush just shows the length this unqualified individual will go to be reelected. J. Nelson, Baltimore

Everyone knows there will be a movie made about the death of Osama bin Laden. But who will play whom? Conan O'Brien has the answers:  (Spoiler alert: Joe Biden will be played by Bob Barker.)